advice given to beginners

[Facundo1]

VinnieL,

Hey sorry if I offended your view of what a newbie needs and happy to give you a laugh with regard to a newbie fixing a drum they plan to use to learn on. As a matter of fact, "I do have carpentry skills" and when I wrote that I was remembering myself many years ago wanting to play and having to fix a broken shell to get started. It only took a few days to repair the crack and I was up an running in no time flat. Again, I had the skills to do the work as I am sure many do, "yourself not included of course" and saved money I didn't have. This experience gave me a very deep appreciation for the instrument that also influenced my dedication to truly learn how to make music with it. I won't interrupt your laughing to expound on that point any more. Those who have had that experience know exactly what I am saying.

Yes, I won't argue with how many potential players come to congas wanting to do band work as opposed to folkloric rhythms. The underlying point is my saying that the basics are to be learned on one drum first. That, is a fact. Additionally, the folkloric rhythms are our "classics" and any conga player that does not have a working foundation in some of them is only a "sound effect specialist". This is especially true with regard to rumba and understanding clave's relationship to rumba. Playing congas in a latin band without this is a travesty. The best congeros playing jazz also have this foundation. Now those playing rock and other styles of music it may not be important to them but a true congero can hear the foundational weakness in their playing, trust me.

On this issue I made about Toca Traditional, I stated that they were a "sleeper" that are often overlooked which, was my only reason for pointing them out. I also have already stated that learning on a conga is very important. See previous post for why. Standard conga head size is 11 3/4 inches and those want or must have a second drum should opt for a tumba 12 1/4 inches in diameter. I thought I did answer your previous questions but I've revisited them again in this post. I was under the impression that you posted to hear the thoughts of others but I guess you thought your post was comprehensive only needed the stamp of agreement.

Glad to hear you are in agreement about thick skins. I tried to avoid the fact thinner skins are my personal preference and highlighted why they are wrong for a beginner. I expected rebuttal on that point.

Facundo

Facundo i was talking in general for most new players not all. But Im sorry the new person doesn't need fixer uppers at first they need a drum that works whether they can work with wood or not. Why the headache for a beginner of having to fix a drum? As far as the brand of drums I only mentioned a few never said they were the only ones. As far as number of drums well I'm sorry a large percentage of players will not end up even being close to a rumba or may not like rumba ive met some people that just don't like it. Whether they are drawn to or have access to rumba it is 1 genre of music most others Jazz,rock,salsa,timba will require more drums than 1. The rest I'm in agreement with I don't like thick skins myself and if you read my posting again i stated that the beginning is not time to start learning to mount heads etc. But i guess we can start posting like this:
Aspiring conguero Ques: What brand of drums should i be looking at and what sizes?

Congaplace member ans: Do you have carpentry skills?

Hey I think it's ridiculous to encourage a new player to buy a cracked drum or a drum that needs work. From behind the keyboard it's easy to just say JUMP ON IT! you'll save 50 bucks now and spend $100 more later fixing it up. But hey to each his own i won't tell someone out here in cyberworld to do it. Peace I'm out.

[vinnieL]

Oh no offense taken my friend i need no ones stamp of approval. And I have great woodworking skills my friend.

[vinnieL]

Seems you have thrown a personal insult into the mix by stating that i do not have the skills to fix a drum. Those of us that have been on the forum for a while know that i have never personally insulted anyone here. My sarcasm regarding carpentry skills was not a personal attack on you or your skills. But hey this would be typical of keyboard commandos that happen to grow a set sitting at their computers. Im done with this conversation.